Electric vehicles

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Electric vehicles

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#1324118 13-Jun-2015 16:59

nakedmolerat: I like the idea of outlander PHEV. Looking to grab the 2nd Gen when it's out.

We came very close to buying one of these at the beginning of the year, we took it for two test drives. Liked it very much

nolanz

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#1324119 13-Jun-2015 17:02

This is about 40 minutes long, and takes some concentration to follow, but I found it a fascinating view into the future of transport.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBOf8ai6Yfk

Batman

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#1324126 13-Jun-2015 17:33

They better have airbags for pedestrians

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#1324132 13-Jun-2015 17:55

joker97: They better have airbags for pedestrians

Three things put me off EVs at present...

1/ Pedestrian warning systems
2/ Simulated gear changes
3/ Automatic roll forward when in drive

Give me a car without all that crap (#3 might be useful in slow traffic, but should be switchable), at a reasonable price (Leaf pricing), and I'll be one of the first to buy. I'm hoping the Tesla ticks those boxes and NZ pricing isn't too far from the predicted US cost (unlikely).

jarledb

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#1324134 13-Jun-2015 17:57

Looking forward to test driving the Tesla when I am in Norway. Seems like a brilliant car. With the supercharger networks they build up between the big cities, it really is not a big deal with the range either, and with a max range of 500 KM you can get pretty far with it.

Norway has very high taxes on cars, but have no taxes or GST on electrical cars. So Tesla has sold a lot of cars in Norway, as have the other EV producers.

I think Tesla has been doing a great job at dealing with all the "reasons" why you shouldn't get an electrical car. Like range, warranty for batteries etc.

Those that state that EVs are no more environmental friendly than petrol/diesel cars because EVs can use electricity from coal/gas power stations, really need to do some research on how petrol/diesel is made. A lot of electricity is involved there, as well as extra diesel to get the petrol/diesel out to the stations.

The only thing really holding back EVs are comparatively higher prices for the cars (mostly because the battery packs are expensive). So Teslas (and others) investment in higher volume production of batteries are going to see prices coming down, and range increasing in the EVs on the market. When that happens, the petrol/diesel cars will be relics that there is no sane reason to keep around.

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jarledb

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#1324135 13-Jun-2015 18:00

SirHumphreyAppleby:
joker97: They better have airbags for pedestrians

Three things put me off EVs at present...

1/ Pedestrian warning systems
2/ Simulated gear changes
3/ Automatic roll forward when in drive

Give me a car without all that crap (#3 might be useful in slow traffic, but should be switchable), at a reasonable price (Leaf pricing), and I'll be one of the first to buy. I'm hoping the Tesla ticks those boxes and NZ pricing isn't too far from the predicted US cost (unlikely).

You can set how you want the Tesla to behave. Either with roll forward (fairly standard in automatics I think), or without it. Its a quick setting through the nice 17" touchscreen.

There are no gears in EVs, so not sure what you mean by simulated gear changes, are you thinking about hybrids which typically have CVT gearing? Its not the most responsive type of gearing, but its darn practical and nice to drive with I think. (I have a car with CVT).

And the cars are not THAT silent, but its a pretty easy thing to give out a "buzz" when driving at low speeds so pedestrians can hear the car.

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#1324144 13-Jun-2015 18:16

jarledb:
There are no gears in EVs, so not sure what you mean by simulated gear changes, are you thinking about hybrids which typically have CVT gearing? Its not the most responsive type of gearing, but its darn practical and nice to drive with I think. (I have a car with CVT).

I have heard that some electric vehicles simulate a gear change in response to firmly pressing the accelerator, similar to what you would experience on an automatic, although hopefully not with the same delay.

jarledb: And the cars are not THAT silent, but its a pretty easy thing to give out a "buzz" when driving at low speeds so pedestrians can hear the car.

To be clear, I want this off permanently, and it would be a condition of purchase. This can be disabled on the Leaf, with a lot of difficult disassembly, or presumably, a one or two line change to the firmware.

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#1324173 13-Jun-2015 19:25

I'd be keen on an EV, but they're just not economic atm.

When battery replacements fall to a few grand and/or 10+ years life I'd think about

JoshWright

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#1324174 13-Jun-2015 19:28

Lias: Don't know what people see in EV's, it will be a sad sad day if they take over.

Give me the roar of a V8 or the smell of diesel any day.

They see a future where we treat our planet better and save money in the process. I'm 16 and have only recently begun driving (albeit in a gas-powered car), but I can't wait for the day EVs take over, they're quieter, cheaper to run, lower maintenance, and produce no emissions. Many people assume that just because they're electric, performance comes at a cost, but anyone who knows about the Tesla Model S would disagree.

MikeB4

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#1324190 13-Jun-2015 20:03

The pedestrian warning sound should be compulsory and Protected from tampering

RUKI

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#1324198 13-Jun-2015 20:42

My full support to the topic. When I have time - would like to contribute If I can be of any help.

EVs are already in New Zealand. I know at least 2 dealers who are bringing Leafs here from Japan. Price is still high. I know people who have converted their cars into EVs. I know people (abroad) who are converting cars into EVs for living as a full time business.

Charging Infrastructure is already in place on both islands and it is even free in some places (e.g. in New Market, Auckland).
Combination of solar+EV as a electricity back up for the household is in full swing in Japan. Should come here one day.

The only issue I currently see is the purchase price (compared to alternatives) and charging costs.

We need some easement on EVs import tax from Japan here and cheap night rates for electricity.

Suggest 0 (zero) import tax on EVs till 2025 and 1/4 of the normal rate for night usage from 22pm to 6 am.
Any supporters?

Can volunteer to participate in events aimed to educate people about Electric and Hybrid cars, covering topics like:
- analysis of the cost of ownership, benefits and savings (unfortunately not many people can count money well especially when it comes to electricity usage);
- batteries, their longevity, aging, degradation, repair, rebuild, health and safety, environmental aspects;
- charging;
- car maintenance;
- actual battery testing on one of my Analysers - see www.hybrids.co.nz
- test drive of EVs and their reviews

dwl

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#1324202 13-Jun-2015 20:49

JoshWright:
Lias: Don't know what people see in EV's, it will be a sad sad day if they take over.

Give me the roar of a V8 or the smell of diesel any day.

They see a future where we treat our planet better and save money in the process. I'm 16 and have only recently begun driving (albeit in a gas-powered car), but I can't wait for the day EVs take over, they're quieter, cheaper to run, lower maintenance, and produce no emissions. Many people assume that just because they're electric, performance comes at a cost, but anyone who knows about the Tesla Model S would disagree.

+1 Using EPA figure of one US gallon of petrol having 33.7 kWh of energy and the Leaf having only a 24 kWh battery pack (energy in only 3 litres of petrol), that gives 130-160 km of driving, the difference in EV energy use compared to petrol (especially V8) is dramatic. The cars mentioned here (PHEV or pure EV) are the future. We cannot justify burning through fossil fuels at current rates for much longer.

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#1324205 13-Jun-2015 20:57

RUKI:
Suggest 0 (zero) import tax on EVs till 2025 and 1/4 of the normal rate for night usage from 22pm to 6 am.
Any supporters?

I support any incentive where tax isn't being paid. I don't agree with slashing electricity prices because electricity companies should be free to set their own pricing, and I doubt there is a 300% profit margin (except in lines charges, they are just excessive, but again, are controlled by businesses which exist to make a profit).

Mercury Energy offers a 30% discount for overnight EV charging.

JWR

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#1324211 13-Jun-2015 21:24

Lias: Don't know what people see in EV's, it will be a sad sad day if they take over.

Give me the roar of a V8 or the smell of diesel any day.

Instead of having a huge muffler/exhaust. Just use it to house a loud speaker. V8, V16 etc. on demand!

Can't say I like the smell of diesel. I am do quite like the smell of racing fuel tho.

Dratsab

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#1324248 13-Jun-2015 21:59

joker97: They better have airbags for pedestrians

Why? It's well past time pedestrians learned to take responsibility for actually looking when they step out on a road.

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